Kawasaki Heavy Industries has launched Sougei, the sixth Taigei-class submarine at its No.1 Building Berth in Kobe Shipyard in Kobe, Japan.
The attack submarine was launched in a ceremony attended by top officials from the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD).
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Submarine Sougei measures 84 metres (m) in length, with a beam of 9.1m and a depth of 10.4m.
Powered by two Kawasaki 12V 25/25 SB-type diesel engines and an electric propulsion motor, the vessel has a displacement of 3,000 tonnes (t). It can accommodate a crew of 70 personnel.
The armament comprises underwater launch tubes and is equipped with a snorkel system, allowing it to draw in fresh air from the surface and expel exhaust gases while remaining submerged.
A notable feature of the Taigei-class submarines is the lithium-ion batteries, which boosts its speed and operational range beyond that of traditional diesel-electric submarines.
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By GlobalDataThe submarine boasts automated systems, enhanced stealth, upgraded safety, and amenities for female crew members.
The Taigei-class submarines represent a new era in Japanese naval technology, following the Soryu-class submarines whose last unit was commissioned in March 2021.
These submarines are equipped with six HU-606 533mm torpedo tubes capable of launching Type 89 heavyweight torpedoes and UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
In 2023, Kawasaki Heavy Industries delivered JS Hakugei (SS-514), the second Taigei-class attack submarine to the Japanese MoD.
Construction of submarine Sougei started in March 2023, with completion estimated in March 2027.
